HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013/08/13 SOOTD CASTCITIZENS’ ADVERSITY SUPPORT TEAM 20TH ANNIVERSARY 1993 – 2013
HISTORY • 1993: 4 O’clock in the morning • Accident involving pedestrian and newspaper delivery driver • Responders had to leave and no one to comfort driver (no fault) • (Then) Fire
Fighter Rick Brand suggested to Fire Chief a need for program to help victims
CAST PROGRAM STARTS • Police and Fire Chiefs came to the Human Services Council and requested someone to start a program • Emerald Randolph volunteered to develop a program • Volunteer
organization
NEW BEGINNINGS • Other similar programs are reviewed and consultations are held with with police, fire and hospital leaders • The initial program is designed with 40 hours of training
• Over 40 people attend the training and start responding to calls in August 1993 CITIZENS’ ADVERSITY SUPPORT TEAM IS CREATED!
GRADUATION
CURRENT OPERATIONS • Training is expanded to 76 hours of instruction over a 3 month period • Police and fire ride-a-longs, and hospital emergency visitations are required • Trainees
must attend two calls with current CAST members • Upon graduation, each volunteer has two 12 hour shifts per month, and agrees to serve at least one year
RESULTS • 212 volunteers have been trained • Between 1 and 40 people are given assistance and comfort during each call • 4,000 calls in 20 years • Over 20,000 citizens have been helped
by the compassion of the volunteers • 2008 Governor’s Crime Victim Advocate Award was presented to CAST
GRADUATION
TYPES OF CALLS 1. Death (home or hospital) 2. Assist 3. Suicide/Murder/Stabbing 4. Motor Vehicle Accident 5. Medical Assist 6. Robbery/Break-in 7. Fire 8. Drowning/Near Drowning 9. Other
(SIDS, Sexual Assault, Evacuations, Car Jacking, Kidnapping, Dementia patients, Elder Abuse, etc.)
COMPARISON 65% 6% 7%3% 6% 0% 3% 0% 9% 123456789
CAST COMFORT NET OF THE CITY
GRADUATION